Three men arrested in Steyning following police pursuit of stolen vehicle

Three men were arrested after a vehicle stolen in a burglary crashed following a police pursuit on Sunday evening (July 6).

The blue VW Caravelle, which had been stolen during a burglary in Findon Road, Worthing, at some time between 11pm on Saturday and 2.50am on Sunday, crashed in Steyning.

At 9.30pm on Sunday the vehicle was spotted by a member of the public at a garage in The Strand, Goring, and then by a police patrol in Acacia Avenue, but made off on to the eastbound carriageway of the A27 with two male passengers.

It was located again in the Steyning area and drove off with its lights off despite the fact that it was after sunset and visibilty was poor.

The vehicle left the road at the first bend it encountered and was then blocked in by the pursuing police vehicle.

The driver, who was the only occupant at the time, was arrested. The other two occupants had left the vehicle at some point after it was spotted.

A search in the local area located the two suspects who were also arrested.

A 22-year-old man from Worthing was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a motor vehicle and drink driving.

Two 22-year-old men, both of no fixed address, were arrested on suspicion of burgling a dwelling.

All remained in custody on Monday at lunchtime.

Inspector Phil Nicholas said: "This was sharp-eyed work from a member of the public who became suspicious of the vehicle when it was at the garage and called the police.

"Fortunately, the vehicle was quickly located and ran off the road of its own accord enabling us to make three swift arrests."